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The Complete ID
Printer Buyer's Guide

This guide walks you through all the important considerations you'll need to know when selecting an ID card printer.

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AlphaCard PRO 550 ID Card System

#ACP-PRO550-L11

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AlphaCard PRO 550 ID Card System

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#ACP-PRO550-L11

5 Review(s) | Add Your Review

A premium mid-volume system, the AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card System comes with everything you need to batch print professional cards.

  • System includes: AlphaCard PRO 500 printer, AlphaCard ID Suite Light software, 300-print color ribbon, 300 premium blank cards, printer cleaning card, digital ID camera
  • Single or dual-sided, dye sub printer
  • Quick print speed – full color in 35 seconds, monochrome in 7
  • 100 card input hopper, 30 card output hopper
  • AlphaGuard hologram-like watermark technology
  • 4 year printer warranty with Pro-Xchange
  • Lifetime AlphaCare support & a free year of AlphaCarePlus service and support ($298 value)
  • For Mac OSX, please select AlphaCard ID Builder software & Logitech C920 camera
MSRP: $2,970
Starting Price: $1,798

You Save: $1,172 (39%)

As Configured: $1,798
  • System includes: AlphaCard PRO 500 printer, AlphaCard ID Suite Light software, 300-print color ribbon, 300 premium blank cards, printer cleaning card, digital ID camera
  • Single or dual-sided, dye sub printer
  • Quick print speed – full color in 35 seconds, monochrome in 7
  • 100 card input hopper, 30 card output hopper
  • AlphaGuard hologram-like watermark technology
  • 4 year printer warranty with Pro-Xchange
  • Lifetime AlphaCare support & a free year of AlphaCarePlus service and support ($298 value)
  • For Mac OSX, please select AlphaCard ID Builder software & Logitech C920 camera
See Full Details

#ACP-PRO550-L11

AlphaCard PRO 550 ID Card System

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The best-selling AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card System makes it easy to design and print professional cards. Combined with ID software, a web cam for ID photos, and premium supplies, this complete system includes everything you need to print your first 300 cards.

Need a help getting started? All AlphaCard PRO series printers include training and set up assistance, lifetime AlphaCare support and a full year of AlphaCare Plus.

AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card Printer

The most popular mid-volume card printer, the AlphaCard PRO 500 is an excellent choice for printing professional employee badges, student IDs, loyalty cards and more. Backed by an industry-leading 4 year warranty, all PRO series printers include free lifetime AlphaCare support and a full year of AlphaCarePlus.

AlphaCard PRO 500 Key Features
  • Printing Capability: Single or dual-sided
  • Print Technology: Dye sublimation with AlphaGuard watermark
  • Print Speed: Full color, single-sided cards in 35 seconds, monochrome in 7
  • Input/Output Hopper: 100 /30
  • Connection: USB & Ethernet
  • Warranty: 4 years with Pro-Xchange
Flexible & Intuitive Card Printing

Ideal for mid-sized print jobs, the PRO 500 printer is equipped with a 100 card input hopper and a 30 card output hopper. An alternate single-feed slot is available for one-off card prints; simply insert a card and within seconds the printed card will be returned through the same slot.

Featuring an LED status screen, USB and Ethernet ports, and a Microsoft-certified plug-and-play driver, you'll be surprised at how intuitive the PRO 500 is to set up and start using. Optional dual-sided printing functionality can be ordered up front, or easily added in the future using the drop-in field upgrade kit. Designed for flexibility, the PRO 500 is a workhorse your office can rely on for years to come.

A variety of premium dye-film ribbons are available for the AlphaCard PRO series printers to suit the full spectrum of printing needs. Included with this system is a full color 300-print YMCKO ribbon which includes an overcoat panel to seal in the card as an extra layer of protection. The YMCKOK ribbon is specially designed for printing dual sided cards with full color on the front and black on the back. PRO series black monochrome ribbons are available with or without an overcoat panel. There are also monochrome ribbons available in a variety of colors and metallic finishes including a specialty ribbon for creating scratch-off panels.

AlphaGuard Watermark Technology

The built-in AlphaGuard technology allows you to add a hologram-like watermark over your printed card without any additional supplies. The watermark can be seen when light is reflected off the card and won't interfere with your printed card design. This added layer of visual security makes cards harder to tamper with or duplicate.

Choose from four secure designs that are repeated 24 times in a 4x6 grid over the face of the card.  Easily turn AlphaGuard on and off or to hide sections of the grid with the intuitive printer driver. Learn More about AlphaGuard.

Free Year of AlphaCarePlus

All AlphaCard systems include lifetime AlphaCare support. For a limited time, AlphaCard PRO printers include a free year of AlphaCarePlus support, a savings of $298. AlphaCarePlus goes above and beyond to offer world class, full service technical support:

  • Setup assistance & training
  • VIP phone & email support
  • 30-day printer upgrade program
  • Free software updates
  • Annual printer check-up
  • Advanced configuration help
  • 25% off extended services

AlphaCarePlus must be activated within 30 days of purchase. See full AlphaCarePlus details.

PRO 500 Printer Warranty

Manufactured to the highest standard, the AlphaCard PRO 500 ID card printer is backed by a four year warranty.

Additionally, all AlphaCard PRO printers include our Pro-Xchange program. The Pro-Xchange program takes the hassle out of the printer repair process. Instead of waiting for your printer to be repaired and shipped back, you will quickly receive a comparable printer as a permanent replacement at no additional cost!

This program helps minimize the downtime during printer repairs – with Pro-Xchange, any warranty-covered problem qualifies you for a free replacement without the wait.

See full warranty and Pro-Xchange details.

What’s Included:

  • AlphaCard PRO 500 ID card printer
  • AlphaCard ID Suite Light software
  • Two printer cleaning cards
  • Digital ID camera
  • 300 premium AlphaCard blank PVC cards
  • Full Color YMCKO ribbon – 300 prints
  • Lifetime AlphaCare support
  • One year free AlphaCarePlus support*
  • Upgrade to TrueSupport service plan & receive*:
  • Loaner printer during TrueSupport coverage period
  • Phone-based technical support including remote assistance
  • Complimentary one hour of training annually
  • Complimentary cleaning kit and remote printer check-up provided annually
*Select printers receive 1 year TrueSuppoort FREE More details

Card Design Software For PC or Mac

AlphaCard software makes it quick and easy to design cards, print cards, and manage your cardholder database. With software features ranging from the very basic up to advanced design options, you'll find software and database options for ID card programs of every size.

AlphaCard ID Suite Light – PC

AlphaCard ID Suite Light makes it trouble-free to design custom ID cards with text, photos, logos, barcodes, and more to fit your organization's unique needs. With the pre-defined card templates you can start designing your IDs instantly, or create your own design in just a few easy steps.

AlphaCard ID Suite Light edition comes with a built-in database to hold up to 200 records, so you can quickly access your cardholder information. With AlphaCard ID Suite Light you have six text fields including first name, last name, title, and department, along with two data fields and a photo field to use when designing your cards.

AlphaCard ID Builder – Mac

If you will be designing and printing cards from a Mac computer, you;ll need to select the AlphaCard ID Builder Mac-compatible software. AlphaCard ID Builder is easy to use and comes in several different editions with a wide range of powerful design and database features. This software is compatible with Mac OSX 10.5 and above.

AlphaCard ID Builder Basic is entry-level software with a built-in database that holds up to 300 records (100 with photos). AlphaCard ID Builder Standard has an unlimited built-in database, and can also be connected to an external XLS, XLSX, CSV, or TXT database. AlphaCard ID Builder Professional connects with external SQLite and MSAccess databases, and allows for multi-layout card designs. AlphaCard ID Builder Elite is the most advanced version with ODBC connections to an external database and user management.

Please Note: This printer's Mac driver does not support barcode or magnetic stripe encoding.

Compare ID Suite Editions
Compare ID Builder Editions
Technical Specs

AlphaCard PRO 500

Compare the AlphaCard PRO 500 to other printers using the Printer Comparison Tool.

Warranty
Printer Coverage
4 Years
Loaner Coverage
Pro-Xchange Program
Printhead Coverage
3 Years
Printing
?
Print Technology
Dye Sublimation
?
Re-Writable Printing
Yes
Card Capacity
?
Input Hopper
100
?
Output Hopper
30
?
Single Feed Mode
Yes
Print Speed
Full Color
35 seconds
Monochrome
7 seconds
Supplies
?
Avg. Cost Per Card
Single-Sided Color
—
Single-Sided Black
—
Dual-Sided
—
?
Max. Ribbon Yield
Single-Sided Color
300
Single-Sided Black
1000
Dual-Sided
250
Accepted Card Sizes
CR79
CR80
Card Thickness
20-40 mil
Features Call if options aren't available online
Available Encoding Options
Contact Card
Contactless Card
DesFire
iCLASS
Magnetic Stripe
MiFare
?
Available Factory Options
Dual Sided
?
Available Field Upgrades
Dual Sided
?
Visual Security Features
AlphaGuard Watermark Technology
Printer Lock Options
—
Compatibility
?
Connection Type
Ethernet
USB
?
OS Compatibility
Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard
Mac OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard
Mac OSX 10.7 Lion
Mac OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion
Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks
Mac OSX 10.10 Yosemite
Mac OSX 10.11 El Capitan
Windows XP - 32 bit
Windows XP - 64 bit
Windows Vista - 32 bit
Windows Vista - 64 bit
Windows 7 - 32 bit
Windows 7 - 64 bit
Windows 8 - 32 bit
Windows 8 - 64 bit
Windows 10 - 32 bit
Windows 10 - 64 bit
Windows 2003 Server - 32 bit
Windows 2003 Server - 64 bit
Windows 2008 Server - 32 bit
Windows 2008 Server - 64 bit
Windows 2012 Server - 32 bit
Windows 2012 Server - 64 bit
?
Mac Compatible
Yes
Physical Specs
Size
9.2” L x 17.8” W x 8.1” H
Weight
12 lbs
MPNS
?
Available MPNs
ACP-PRO500,
ACP-PRO500-DUO,
ACP-PRO500-MAG,
ACP-PRO500-DUO-MAG,
ACP-PRO500-SMART,
ACP-PRO500-DUO-SMART,
ACP-PRO500-SMART-MAG,
ACP-PRO500-DUO-SMART-MAG
Customize System
Customize System
AlphaCare
When you place an order with AlphaCard, you qualify for full, personal assistance to ensure that your ID card program reaches its full potential. This commitment to strong customer service and support is called AlphaCare. It's completely free and you'll only find it at AlphaCard.
Need Help?

Call us now for help finding a system solution that fits your needs.


(800) 717-8080

Customize your System Components

AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card Printer
AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card Printer
This printer can be upgraded with magnetic stripe encoding to hold cardholder data. If upgrading to magnetic stripe encoding, be sure to also select magnetic stripe cards.
* = Required Option
ID Software (Mac or PC)
ID Software (Mac or PC)

For PC - AlphaCard ID Suite card design software comes in five versions. Choose from AlphaCard ID Suite Basic, Light, Standard, Professional, or Elite for additional card design, database, encoding & security functionality. For more info, view the Software Selection Guide or call (800) 717-8080.

For Mac - AlphaCard ID Builder is Mac-compatible ID card software available in four editions. Choose from Basic, Standard, Professional, or Elite for Mac-compatible card design and database software with a wide range of professional features. Learn more about AlphaCard ID Builder.
* = Required Option
AlphaCard PRO YMCKO 300 Print Ribbon/Card Pack
AlphaCard PRO YMCKO 300 Print Ribbon/Card Pack
* = Required Option
ID Camera
ID Camera
System includes the Logitech C270 photo ID camera. Upgrade to the Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam for Mac OS compatibility.
* = Required Option
ID Accessory Pack - Includes Lanyards, Strap Clips & Slot Punch - 100 Count
ID Accessory Pack - Includes Lanyards, Strap Clips & Slot Punch - 100 Count
Add an ID accessory pack to your system for $100 (value of $208). The pack includes 100 breakaway lanyards, 100 clear vinyl strap clips, and a user-friendly stapler-style slot punch.
* = Required Option
As Configured: $1,798

Product Videos

AlphaCard Pro 500 - How to Clean Video AlphaCard Pro 500 - How to Clean Video

Product Brochures

AlphaCard PRO 500 ID Card Printer Brochure (PDF) PRO 500 Advanced Card Security (PDF) AlphaCard PRO Series Warranty (PDF)

Select printers include one full year of TrueSupport for free!

Upgrade to TrueSupport for world class, full service technical support. You'll get direct access to our professionally trained technical support experts who have years of experience working with customers just like you. Whether you are setting up an ID card system for the first time, or you need help with troubleshooting, our friendly experts will get you on track quickly.

TRUESUPPORT HELP

You can talk directly to our dedicated support team on the phone. On top of our complimentary lifetime email support (1-3 day turnaround) and 30-day setup over the phone, TrueSupport coverage plans will include troubleshooting and technical support via phone and hands-on help via remote desktop assistance during your subscription period from the best technical experts in the industry.

PREMIUM SERVICE

As a TrueSupport subscriber, you'll receive a complimentary cleaning kit and remote printer check-up annually through the duration of your subscription. Through these preventative services, potential future obstacles that could interrupt daily business operations can be avoided.

PRINTER MAINTENANCE + LOANER COVERAGE

Within your TrueSupport coverage period, our technical support experts are standing by to offer remote phone support. If your ID card printer requires service, we'll provide a loaner machine to keep your business running while we repair your printer.

TRAINING

Get one hour of training every year to maximize every feature of your investment, or just brush-up on the basics. We want to help you do your job easier!

EXTENSION OPTIONS

Options to extend your TrueSupport coverage are available. Call us now for pricing and enrollment (877) 907-9834.

AlphaGuard® is an exclusive technology that adds a hologram-like watermark over a printed card without requiring lamination, specialty cards, or any additional supplies. This extra layer of visual security helps prevent unauthorized ID card duplication. AlphaGuard technology comes built into all AlphaCard PRO series ID card printers at no additional cost.

PRO 550 Design Options
You can easily switch between five watermark designs or turn off sections of the grid.

Secure Shield Grid
4x6 Pattern Full-face Pattern

*Disclaimer: Watermark designs on cards are shown for illustration purposes only. Actual watermark designs may vary depending on printer model.

Click For More Details

Customize AlphaGuard
with your Logo

For the ultimate level of security and professionalism, enhance your cards with a Custom AlphaGuard design using your own logo or artwork. This helps ensure that your cards cannot be replicated, since each Custom AlphaGuard design requires a physical card key. The custom keys are programmed at our secure facility and are only accessible to the authorized organization.

Custom AlphaGuard Grid Design: $598 FREE
One free Custom AlphaGuard grid design key is included with each PRO 550 printer. Free key must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase at www.AlphaCard.com/Custom-AlphaGuard

Custom AlphaGuard Full-Sized Design: $648
Full-sized Custom AlphaGuard designs can cover the entire face of the card or any portion thereof. They are ideal for seals or other detailed security images.

Learning Center

We'll help you learn everything you need to know about ID card systems, from how the printers work to important advice when setting up a new system, card templates, case studies, and more.

Buyers Guide to ID Printers

Surprising Ways to Use Cards
Learn More

Learn More About Card Printers
ID Technology & Options

Overall Average Rating:
5 reviews
Write A Review

5 Item(s)

Pro 500 - Worked Great for my Company
I wasn't sure I was going to be able to figure out how to design and print ID cards for my company, but found it easier than expected. Thr printer came with everything I need and only had to call the company once to get it working to my liking
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  • Rating:
Tonya Douglass 10/284/2018 10/12/201816:51
ALPHACARD PRO 500
Easy to set up and use


*This review was submitted as part of a Review Award for verified AlphaCard customers.
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  • Rating:
Tkeefer 11/306/2019 11/03/201921:51
GREAT PRODUCT
We purchased this product to make 200 badges initially and 10-20 badges monthly thereafter. The product is very easy to set up and print. The quality of the badges were excellent. The software is very easy to use. I would recommend the AlphaCard Pro 500 tto anyone that is looking for a quality badge printer.


*This review was submitted as part of a Review Award for verified AlphaCard customers
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Melissa 11/306/2019 11/03/201921:51
CALLAWAY
AlphaCard Pro 500 is more than I expected. Easy to use and customer care is awesome.


*This review was submitted as part of a Review Award for verified AlphaCard customers.
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Callaway 11/306/2019 11/03/201921:52
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
We purhased this product after reviewing number other manufactures. The pricing was reasonable for the overall quality of the unit and supplies were priced reasonably as well. The devices performs better than expected.


*This review was submmitted as part of a Review Award for verified AlphaCard customers
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Chad 11/306/2019 11/03/201921:52

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